One person has been declared dead, while at least five lockup shops have been razed in the early Wednesday morning fuel tanker fire on Gombe-Bauchi highway.
The fuel tanker went up in flames in Tumfure village, along the Gombe-Bauchi highway, killing a motorcycle operator.
The incident was confirmed by an official of Red Cross in the area, Mr. Abass Mohammed, who said the tanker was travelling from Gombe to Bauchi State when the incident occurred.
Mohammed said, “About an hour ago, I was informed of the incident.
“The tanker, which was loaded with fuel, was coming out. There was a container on its way, it made an attempt to drive past the container, oblivious of a stationary trailer ahead.
“The tanker driver collided with the container, erupted in fire, and caused the death of a motorcycle operator, while five shops were razed.”
An eyewitness, Avohre Pamela Manza, alleged that someone tried to rescue the motorcyclist, but it was impossible because of the severity of the fire.
Meanwhile, officials of fire service and other security agencies were seen at the scene of the incident battling the inferno, while also controlling human and vehicular traffic.
